We successfully completed this day hike for our June 1, 2016 cable permit pass. Total hiking time took around 12hrs (add 1 more hour at top of the dome). Our start time was just before 4:30am, parked in the designated area off of Happy Isle Loop Rd, which was closest to the beginning of The Mist Trail Head. They say it's a 16 mile round trip but my Fitbit showed 20 miles (additional miles walking to and from parking lot i suppose ). Our initial water total was 7 1/2 liters. Definitely not enough water and needed to filter on the way back from the dome, off the Merced River, about 2 miles from Nevada Falls where the water was calm. We arrived back to our car at 5:30pm.

It's a steady elevation gain hike from beginning of trail head to the dome. The hardest part for me was the 8 mile downward return hike, putting a lot of stress on my toes. For the pace we were going, our legs were left sore for a few days.

I loved it so much, the weather was beautiful! I've considered returning next year in May and ascending, this time with the cables down and possibly summiting Clouds Rest. Anyone share any insight who has done Clouds Rest? Is it worth it compared to Half Dome?

I'm never going to bother with Half Dome again - there are a ton of wonderful places, in and outside Yosemite, that have dropped Half Dome to the bottom of my list. Just keep hiking and exploring. You'll see.

Super RJ, congrats. I want to do it again. I did it abt 6 months after knee surgery & a LOT of rehab & workout I promised myself I would do it again in 5 years. That is coming up in a year or so, will be 63

Congratulations to all who made it to the summit! My husband and I (63 and 57 respectively) are planning to hike Half Dome in September. This will give us 5 months to train. I honestly got anxiety attack when I saw pictures. We hiked Machu Picchu last year, our #2 Bucket list, but it was a 4 days/3 nights hike. Half Dome is # 3 on our bucket list. I would like to know from anyone 57 years old and above if it is doable for us. Thank you for your time responding.

How about 57 at the end of July? Yeah, you can do it! No doubt. Throw on a daypack with some weight in it and climb all the steep and long hills you can find to train. Then keep doing it until you wish you had more and bigger. Early start, stay well hydrated, control your breathing, one step at a time. If you have gear and want to take it in pieces, and have an extra day to do it, get an overnight permit, and then you can make your way up to Little Yosemite Valley on day 1, spend the night, then go the rest of the way up and back down to the valley the second day.